Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will face American Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena on April 1st.
Joshua returns to the ring after two consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, and the last defeat of the Brit to the Ukrainian came in August last year in Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old takes on Franklin in search of his first win since defeating Kubrat Pulev in 2020.
Reigning WBC champion Tyson Fury negotiated with Joshua’s camp for an All-British fight, but no deal was reached, leaving Franklin as the first contender on Joshua’s return.
Joshua, a two-time world champion, confirmed the contest in a tweet that included a poster for the fight and read, “A new dawn.”
Joshua was ringside in November when Franklin lost to Dillian Whyte at Wembley Arena, the first loss of 22 fights for the American.
Before Joshua’s split decision loss to Usyk last year, there were rumors that the former Olympic champion might retire from boxing.
However, Joshua’s third career loss did not bring the curtain down and he will return to fight at the O2 Arena for the first time since 2016.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
